Device for constantly correcting the angle a strand makes with a reel



Oct. 13, 1964 w. B. BROWN 3,152,773 DEVICE FOR CONSTANTLY CORRECTING THE ANGLE A STRAND MAKES WITH A REEL Filed Dec. 28, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. W8. BROWN 15/ y/flwwu A T TORNEV Oct. 13, 1964 w. B. BROWN 3,152,773

' DEVICE FOR CONSTANTLY CORRECTING THE ANGLE A STRAND MAKES WITH A REEL Filed Dec. 28, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 s i E I E l l INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY Oct. 13, 1964 w. B. BROWN DEVICE FOR CONSTANTLY CORRECTING THE ANGLE A STRAND MAKES WITH A REEL Filed Dec. 28, 1962 u m ll Oct. 13, 1964 w. B. BROWN 3,152,773

DEVICE FOR CONSTANTLY CORRECTING THE ANGLE A STRAND MAKES WITH A REEL Filed Dec. 28, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVEQTN TOR.

WB. BROWN A T TORNEV ,Oct. 13, 1964 w. B. BROWN 3,152,773

DEVICE FOR CONSTANTLY CORRECTING THE ANGLE A STRAND MAKES WITH A REEL Filed Dec. 28, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 HELIX REVERSE CYLINDER CA RRIAGE MOTOR HELIX REV VALVE RESERVOIR ,EEB

INVENTOR. W5. BROWN A T TORNEV United States Patent Ofiice 3,152,773 Patented Get. 13, 1964 s 152 773 nsvrcs non consritn'itv coanacrrno "rim ANGLE A srnaran MAKES wrrn A near William B. Brown, Pasadena, Md, assignor to Western Electric Qompany, Incorporated, New York, N.Y., a

. corporation of New York Filed DEL as, 1962, Ser. No. assess Claims. or. 242-4571 This invention relates to a strand-guiding apparatus and particularly to an apparatus for constantly correcting the angle a strand makes with a reel when taken up onto or pulled off of the reel.

In winding a strand on a reel, a strand guide is commonly used which traverses the reel as the reel rotates, so as to guide the strand onto the reel. The position the strand guide takes with respect to the reel determines This angle theangle the strand makes with the reel. is commonly referred to as the helix angle. fthe strand does not make the proper helix angle with the reel, the strand will be laid improperly on the reel so as tonecessitate rereeling and/or it will rub against adjacent convolutions on the reel so as to damage the strand. This rubbing of the strand against the adjacent convolutions results in wear and abrasion of the strand, whereby the strand is damaged. This is particularly acute where a strand-guiding apparatus is used which handles a variety of different strands having difierent diameters, as difficulty is experienced in adjusting the travel of the strand guide with respect to the reel so as to properly guide a strand onto the reel regardless of the diameter of the strand; The same ditliculties are experienced in unreeling a strand as, if the strand guide is not properely positioned relative to the reel, the strand rubs against adjacent convolutions on the reel so as to damage the strand.

it is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide speed and direction at which the strand guide travels relative'to thereel so as to constantly'correct and maintain a preselected angle between the strand and the reel.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings where- FIG. 1 is a side view of a strand-distributing device embodying the principles of the invention;

PEG. 2 is a top View of FIG. 1 taken along the lines 22; FIG. 3 is a view showing the details-of a drive mechanism for the strand-distributing device of PEG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of MG. 2 taken along the lines 4-4;

FIG. 5 is a view showing the cooperative coaction ofthe elements of FIG. 4; ,7

FIG. 6 is a view setting forththe cooperation of various elements of FIG. 4; Y Y

a @FIG. 7 is a bottom view of FIG. i taken along the lines 7-7; 7

FIG. 8 is a schematic of 'ahydraulic control system i for the strand-distributingdevice ofFiG. 1; and

. 'FIGLQ is' afsectional view of PTG. 4 taken along lines .99.' 5

Referring now in detail to the drawings and particularly to P16. 1, a strand-distributing guide or carriage is generally indicated by the numeral 1t Rack 11 is attached to column 12 by collars 13. Carriage 10' reciprocates on the rack 11 so as to traverse reel 14. Carriage it) carries the oppositely disposed sheaves 15 and 16 and the guide sheave 17. A strand 18 is taken up on or pulled from reel 14 and is guided onto or of of the reel 14- by sheave 17. A conventional core truck (not shown) rotates the reel 14 so as to pay the strand 18 onto the reel or acts as a brake when the strand 18 is pulled from the reel. Sheave I? is provided for supporting a counterweight 20, as seen in FIG. 2. The counterweight 26 is attached to the carriage til by cable 21 and balances the carriage 10 so as to make it free wheeling on the rack 11. Guide 22 is provided for guiding the carriage 10 along the rack Ill.

Turning to FIG. 2, the sheave 1'7, as shown, is a ring supported by bearings 25 on a frame 26. The frame 26 supports an oil motor 27 and strand follower 28. The oil motor 27 drives the carriage It) on the rack 11.

As seen in FIG. 3, pinio'n29 is driven by oil motor 27 through gear box 30 so as to displace the carriage 10 on the rack 11.

In FIG. 4 the. principal features of the strand follower 28 are set forth in detail. The strand follower 28 has fingers 35 and 36 through which the strand 18 passes. The fingers 35 and 36 are carried by arm 37 and pivoted about pivot pin 38.

The position of the pivot pin 38 is determined by helix reverse'cylinder 39. The helix reverse cylinder 39 has an internal shaft'dd. On the lower end of the shaft 4%, a stop 41 is provided which is retained on the end of shaft 4% by lock nut 42. A stop 43 is threaded onto the shaft 4%! by threads The stop 43 is restrained from rotation within the helix reverse chamber 39 while permitted free movement along the shaft 46. Threads 45 on the shaft 46 have the same direction as threads 44, but the pitch on threads 44 is twice that of threads 45.

The end member 46 of helix reverse cylinder 39 is threaded to accommodate the threads 45 of shaft 40 so as to retain shaft 49 concentrically within the internal chamber 47 of helix reverse cylinder 39.

Sleeve 48 is concentrically carried by shaft 49 so as to' permit displacement of the sleeve 480:1 shaft 40. The collar 49 is retained on the end of sleeve 43 by lock nut 50. The collar 49 is'provided with a pivot pin 38 about which pin the arm 37 is permitted to pivot freely. A bushing 51 is provided to seal the end of the helix reverse cylinder 3? and to retainthe shaft'dtl and sleeve 4-8 concentric with chamber 47.

The displacement of the sleeve 48 onthe shaft 40 and,

'41 moves downwardly.

As seen in FIG. 1, when the stops 41 and 43 are closed as inFIG. 4, the pivot point 38 lies in the plane defined by the guide sheave 17. As the stops 41 and 43 are displaced equal. distances apart by actuation of shaft 40,

each stop is alwayspositioned the same distance from the plane of the guide sheave 17 as the other stop. The sleeve 4$ is provided with an annular flange 54 which acts as a piston in'the' chamber 47. The piston or V flange 54 is provided witha seal-55 to prohibit the flow of hydraulic fluid past the piston 54. As hydraulic fluid.

is introduced into chamber 47 by port 56, the piston 54 will be forced upwardly within chamber 47 until sleeve 48 strikes stop 43 so as to shi t pivot pin 33 upwardly. Hydraulic fluid on the opposite side of piston 54 exits through port 57.

As hydraulic fluid is introduced into chamber 4-7 by port 57, the piston 54 will be forced downwardly within the chamber 47 until nut 56 strikes stop 41 so as to shift pivot pin 38 downwardly. Hydraulic fluid on the opposite side of piston 54 exits through port 56. In this manner the pivot pin 38 may be displaced a predetermined distance in either direction as defined by the relative positions of stops 41 and 43. As each stop will be displaced the same distance from the plane defined by the guide 17 as the other stop, the pivot point 38 for a given setting of the stops 41 and 43 will always be displaced equal distances to either side of the plane defined by the guide 17.

FIG. showsthe pivot pin 38 displaced downwardly. The nut 59 striking the stop 43 limits the distance which the pivot pin 33 can be displaced.

FIG. 6 shows the pivot pin 38 displaced upwardly. The sleeve 48 slides on the shaft 40 until the sleeve 48 strikes the stop 41. The shaft 46 and stop 41 remain stationary as shown.

Returning to FIG. 4, a servovalve 61 is provided with a stem 62 which is pivotally attached to arm 37. The

stern has a valve seat 63 which blocks the flow of hydraulic fluid into chamber 65 through inlet 64. As the stem 62 is displaced either upwardly or downwardly due to the strand follower being pivoted about pivot pin 38, the valve seat 63 will be carried with the stem 62 so as to permit the flow of hydraulic fluid into the chamber 65. The greater the displacement of the stem 62, the more hydraulic fluid will be permitted to flow into the chamber 65.

If, for example, the stem 62 is displaced upwardly, the hydraulic fluid will flow into chamber 65 from inlet 64 and will exit from chamber 65 through port 66. On the other hand, if the stem 62 is displaced downwardly,

, the hydraulic fluid will enter chamber 65 through inlet 64 and will exit through port 67. The stem 62 is also provided with the valve seats 63 and 69. As the stem 62 is displaced upwardly, valve seat 68 will be displaced to open port 76 so as to permit the flow of hydraulic fluid from chamber 65, which is trapped between valve seats 63 and 68, to exit through port 70. On the other hand, when valve stem 62 is shifted downwardly, seat 69 will be displaced downwardly to permit the hydraulic fluid in the chamber 65 lying between valve seats 63 and 69 to exit from chamber 65 through port 71.

Spring 72 maintains a constant tension on the valve stem 62 so as to urge the Valve seat 63 into a neutral position, closing inlet 64. Therefore, the carriage 16 will not be displaced on the rack 11, unless a force is ex erted on the strand follower 28 so as to unseat the valve seat 63. When valve stem 62 is displaced upwardly, seat 73 compresses spring 72; and when valve stem 62 is displaced downwardly, seat '74 compresses spring 72 so as to urge the valve seat 63 to close inlet 64. Weight '75 is provided to counterbalance the weight of the fingers and 36.

FIG. 7 shows how the arm 37 is pivotally mounted on collar 49 by pivot pin 38. Valve stem 62 is pivotally attached to arm 37 by a similar pin arrangement. As the fingers are moved by the strand 18, the arm 37 will pivot on pivot pin 38 displacing valve stem 62 in the servovalve As seen in FIG. 8, the hydraulic control system ofthe strand guide 10 is schematically set forth. Pump titlsupplies hydraulic fluid 'to servovalve 61 through line 81. Depending on the direction in which valve seat 63 is'dis- 67 and line 83 to the carriage motor 27. Hydraulic fluid is supplied to the pump 86 from reservoir 84.

When hydraulic fluid is carried to the carriage motor 27 from the servovalveby way of line 82, the hydraulic fluid is routed back to the servovalve by line 83, and when hydraulic fluid is carried to the carriage motor by way of line 83, the hydraulic fluid is routed back to the servovalve byline 82. Hydraulic fluid, entering the servovalve from the carriage motor by way of line 32 and port 66, is returned to the reservoir 84 by line 79 through port 76; and hydraulic fluid, entering the servovalve from the carriage motor by way of line 83 and port 66, is returned to reservoir by line 79 through port 71.

The rate of flow of the hydraulic fluid through the carriage motor 2'7 controls the speed of the motor and, therefore, the rate at which the carriage 10 is displaced on the rack 11.

The direction in which the carriage 10 is displaced on the rack 11 is controlled by the direction the hydraulic fluid flows through the carriage motor 27. If the strand follower 28 is pivoted by the strand 18 about pivot pin 38in a clockwise direction (FIG. 4), the valve seat 63 is displaced upwardly so that hydraulic fluid flows through servovalve 61 from inlet 64 to port 66. Line 82 carries the hydraulic fluid from port 66 to carriage motor 27 and line 83 returns the hydraulic fluid to the servovalve 61. The carriage motor 27 then rotates the pinion 29 counterclockwise (FIG. 3) to displace the carriage 16 downwardly on the rack 11. Pivot pin 38 is displaced upwardly (FIG. 6).

If the strand follower 28 is pivoted by the strand 18 about pin 38 in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 4), the valve seat 63 is displaced downwardly so that hydraulic fluid flows through servovalve 61 from inlet 64 to port 67. Line 83 carries the hydraulic fluid from port 67 to carriage motor 27 and line 82 returns the hydraulic fluid to the servovalve 61. The carriage motor then ro. tates the pinion 29 clockwise (FIG. 3') to displace the carriage 1t) downwardly on the rack 11. Pivot pin 38 is displaced downwardly (FlG. 5).

Hydraulic fluid is delivered to a helix reverse valve 36 by the pump till through line 87. The helix reverse valve 66 routes the hydraulic fiuidto the helix reverse cylinder 35 through either line 38 or line 89.; When the helix reverse cylinder 33 is supplied with hydraulic fluid from helix reverse valve 86 through line 88, the hydraulic fluid will enter the chamber 47 by port 57 forcing the piston 54 downwardly so as to displace pivot pin 38 downwardly; and when the helix reverse cylinder 39 is provided with hydraulic fluid from helix reverse valve 86 through line 39, the hydraulic fluid will enter chamber 4 47 through port 56 forcing the piston 54 upwardly so as placed, the hydraulic fluid will exit from chamber 65 of, "j

to displace the pivot pin 38 upwardly. When hydraulic fluid is supplied through line 88, line 39 acts as an exhaust for the helix reverse cylinder, and when hydraulic fluid is supplied through line 89, line 88 acts as an exhaustfor the helix reverse cylinder. The hydraulic fluid is returned from the helix reverse valve 86 to the reservoir 34 by line 36.

Referring to FIG. 9, fingers 35 and 36 are mounted on blocks 31 and 92, respectively. The blocks 91 and 92 are carried by the gears 93 and 94, respectively. The

gears 93 and 94am connected together by intermeshed gears 95 and 96. The gears 93, 34, 95, and 96 are mounted in the housing 97 of arm 37. In this manner the fingers 35 and 36 are displaced equal distances either toward or away from each other so as to accommodate for strands ofdifferent diameter. Screws 38 and 99 are provided for locking the gears 93 and 34 against rotation whenthe fingers are properly adjusted.

In Operation "Strand i8 is carried with carriage 19 by opposed sheaves l5 and I16 and guide sheave 17. The guide.

sheave 17 directs the strand 18 onto the reel 14 as the carriage l0 reciprocates up and down on rack 11. The strand 18 isthreaded from sheave 17 through fingers 35 and 36 of the strand follower 28 onto reel 14. The strand follower 28 is carried by the carriage It).

If, for example, the carriage is traveling downward in FIG. 1 and the reel 14 is being rotated to take the strand 1% up on the reel, thepivot pin 38 will be'displaced upwardly as in FIG. 6 by helix reverse cylinder 39. Assuming for the moment that the carriage It is stationary, as the strand is laid on the reel 14, the strand will move downwardly exerting a force on the finger 35.

This movement of the strand 18 will, therefore, pivot the arm 37 clockwise about the pivot pin 38, and will displace the valve stem 62 of the scrvovalve 61 upwardly. As the valve stem 62 moves upwardly, the seat 63 will open inlet 64 so as to deliver hydraulic fluid to the motor 27 by way of line 32. As the hydraulic fluid passes through motor 27, pinion 29 is rotated counterclockwise to advance the carriage 1t downwardly on rack 11 so as to maintain the predetermined helix angle constant. a

If the carriage 16 moves too rapidly, the arm 37 is pivoted counterclockwise, moving the valve seat as downwardly so as to restrict the flow of hydraulic fluid to motor 27, thereby slowing the carriage 10 down to the proper speed. Therefore, the speed of the carriage is determined by the position of the strand; and the helix angle is constantly corrected to properly lay the strand on the reel.

'As the carriage 10 reaches the end of its travel, arm ltltl will strike limit switch llfil (FIG. 1) reversing the helix reverse cylinder 39 so as to displace the pivot pin 38 downwardly, as in FIG. 5. As the reel 14 continues to turn, the strand 13 will start to move upwardly exerting a force against finger 36 of strand follower 28 so as to pivot the strand follower 2d counterclockwise (FIG. 4) about pivot pin 35. This directs hydraulic lluid from the servovalve 61 to the carriage motor 27 by way of line 83. Carriage motor 27 then rotates pinion 29 clock wise (FIG; 3) to displace the carriage 1i upwardly.

When the carriage reaches the end of its travel upward,.the arm 192 will strike limit switch 1633 (FIG. 1) to reverse the helix reverse cylinder 39 and displace the pivot pin 35 upwardly, as in PEG. 6. In this manner the angle which the strand makes with the reel will be constantly corrected so as to properly lay the strand on the reel.

The helix reverse cylinder 3? may be actuated in any conventional manner to displace the pivot point 38 and reverse the helix angle the strand makes with the reel.

For example, the limit switches 161 and 103 can actuate solenoids N4 in a conventional manner to operate hedx reverse valve 86 and reverse the flow of hydraulic fluid to the helix reverse cylinder 39 through lines 88 and 39. Such a conventional arrangement is shown in the British v Patent,836,4l2 published June 1, 1960.

By adjusting the stops 41 and 43, any desired helix angle can be selected so as to lay the strand onto the reel in any desired manner. By adjusting. the distance between the fingers 35 and 36, any diameter of strand can be properly laid on the reel.

Although the operation of the invention has been described for laying a strand onto the reel, it'will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the application would be the same wherethe strand is being pulled from the reel;

By adjusting the position of the limit switches 101 )1 and M3 on the guide 22, the travel of the carriage may be adjusted for different sizes of. reels;

It is'to be understood that the above-described arrangernents offapparatus and construction of elemental parts are simply illustrative of an application of the principles of the invention 1 and many other modifications may be made without departing from the invention.

' Whatis claimed is:

a strand guide spaced a predetermined distance from the reel and mounted for displacement relative to the reel along a line, parallel to the longitudinad axis of the reel,

means for displacing the strand guide relative to the reel,

a strand follower pivotally mounted between the strand I guide and the reel for displacement with the strand guide, the pivot point of the strand follower being.

mounted for displacement along a line parallel to speed and the direction at which the strand guide is displaced relative to the reel. 2. In a device for constantly correcting the angle a strand makes with a reel:

a strand guide spaced. a predetermined distance from the reel and mounted for displacement relative to the reel along a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the reel,

means for displacing the strand guide relative to the 'reel, I g

a strand follower pivotally mounted between the strand guide and the reel for displacement with the strand guide, the pivot point of the strand follower being mounted for displacement along a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the reel,

means for displacing the point about which the strand follower pivots equal distances-on either side of the strand guide, the distance of the pivot point to either side of the strand guide determining the angle which the strand makes with the reel, 7

means responsive to pivotal movement of the strand follower about its pivot point for controlling the means for displacing the strand guide to control the speed and direction at which the strand guide is displaced relative to the reel, and

means responsive to the strand guide reaching the end of its travel for actuating the means for displacing the pivot point of the strand follower to displace the pivot point of the strand follower so as to reverse the angle which the strand makes with the reel.

3. A device for constantly correcting the helix angle between a strand and a reel:

a strand guide spaced a predetermined distance from the reel and mounted for displacement relative to the reel along a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the reel, a

means for displacing the strand guide relative to the;

A reel,

pivot point of the strand follower being mounted for displacement along a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the reel, g means for displacing the point about which the strand follower pivots equal distances on either side of the strand guide, the distance of the pivot point to either side of the strand guide determiningthe anglewhich the strand makes with the reel, means for adjusting the means for displacing the point about which the strand follower pivots so as to control the distance from'the strand guide which the pivot point of the strand follower may be displaced,

"and

means responsive to pivotal movement of the strand the speed and direction at which the strand guide traverses the reel.

4. In a device for constantly correcting the helix angle between a strand and a reel:

a carriage spaced a predetermined distance from the reel and mounted for displacement relative to the reel along the longitudinal axis of the reel,

a strand guide mounted on the carriage,

a strand follower pivotally mounted on the carriage and carried by the carriage between the strand guide and the reel, the pivot point of the strand follower being mounted for displacement along a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the reel,

a reversible, hydraulically driven motor mounted on the carriage for displacing the carriage relative to the reel,

valve means for controlling the speed and direction of flow of hydraulic fluid to the reversible, hydraulically driven motor,

means responsive to pivotal motion of the strand follower for actuating the valve means,

a helix reverse cylinder for displacing the point about which the strand follower pivots equal distances von either side of the strand guide, the distance of the pivot point to either side of the strand guide determining the angle the strand makes with the reel, and

means for actuating the helix reverse cylinder to reverse the position of the pivot point on the carriage when the strand guide reaches the end of its travel so as to reverse the helix angle the strand makeswith the reel.

5. In a device for constantly correcting the helix angle between a strand and a reel:

a carriage spaced at predetermined distance from the reel and mounted for displacement relative to the reel along a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the reel, 7

a strand guide mounted on the carriage,

a strand follower pivotally mounted on the carriage and carried by the carriage between the strand guide and the reel, the pivot point of the strand follower being mounted for displacement along a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the reel,

a reversible, hydraulically driven motor mounted on the carriage for displacing the carriage relative to the reel, the direction of flow of hydraulic fluid to the motor controlling the direction the carriage is displaced relative to the reel and the rate of flow of hydraulic fluid to the motor controlling the speed at which the carriage is displaced relative to the motor,

valve means forcontrolling the speed and direction of flow of hydraulic fluid to the reversible hydraulically driven motor,

means responsive to pivotal movement of the strand follower for actuating the valve means so that the direction which the strand follower pivots about its pivot point controls the direction of flow of hydraulic fluid to the reversible motor and the distance the strand follower pivots about its pivot point controls the rate of flow of the hydraulic fluid to the reversible motor,

means for displacing the point about which the strand follower pivots equal distances on either side of the strand guide, the distance of the pivot point to either side of the strand guide determining the angle the strand makes with the reel, and

means for changing the position of the pivot point on the carriage when the strand guide reaches the end of its travel so as to reverse the helix angle the strand makes with the reel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. IN A DEVICE FOR CONSTANTLY CORRECTING THE ANGLE A STRAND MAKES WITH A REEL: A STRAND GUIDE SPACED A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE FROM THE REEL AND MOUNTED FOR DISPLACEMENT RELATIVE TO THE REEL ALONG A LINE PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE REEL, MEANS FOR DISPLACING THE STRAND GUIDE RELATIVE TO THE REEL, A STRAND FOLLOWER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED BETWEEN THE STRAND GUIDE AND THE REEL FOR DISPLACEMENT WITH THE STRAND GUIDE, THE PIVOT POINT OF THE STRAND FOLLOWER BEING MOUNTED FOR DISPLACEMENT ALONG A LINE PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE REEL, MEANS FOR DISPLACING THE POINT ABOUT WHICH THE STRAND FOLLOWER PIVOTS EQUAL DISTANCES ON EITHER SIDE OF THE STRAND GUIDE, THE DISTANCE OF THE PIVOT POINT TO EITHER SIDE OF THE STRAND GUIDE DETERMINING THE ANGLE WHICH THE STRAND MAKES WITH THE REEL, AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF THE STRAND FOLLOWER ABOUT ITS PIVOT POINT FOR CONTROLLING THE MEANS FOR DISPLACING THE STRAND GUIDE TO CONTROL THE SPEED AND THE DIRECTION AT WHICH THE STRAND GUIDE IS DISPLACED RELATIVE TO THE REEL. 